Austria, following Hungary, opposed negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union

The Austrian government will not agree to negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union under current conditions.

This information reported by stated Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer while addressing members of the European Parliament.

According to Nehammer, there should not be any favoritism towards Ukraine, especially given ongoing negotiations for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession to the EU, a country that has long sought EU membership.

“In current conditions, Austria will not agree to negotiations with Ukraine for accession,” as stated on the official website of the Austrian parliament, quoting the chancellor.

Nehammer noted that “in a sign of solidarity with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, a perspective of accession should also be offered,” but the Austrian government is against an accelerated procedure for these two states. The Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) in parliament also opposes accession negotiations and demanded that Austria veto the talks.

Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed his opposition to negotiations for Ukraine’s EU accession, stating,

“Ukraine is not ready to join the EU, and negotiations should not commence.”

In November, a senior European Union representative told Reuters that the start of Ukraine’s membership negotiations was “under threat.” One of the reasons cited was Hungary’s resistance. Negotiations on Ukraine cannot commence without unanimous agreement from all EU members. The official added that some EU leaders suggested revisiting discussions in March 2024.

Ukraine submitted its application for EU membership in February 2022. On November 8, the European Commission recommended starting negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova for inclusion in the EU. However, Brussels emphasized that this would only be possible after Kyiv fulfills the remaining conditions, including strengthening the fight against corruption, passing a lobbying law in line with European standards, and enhancing guarantees for national minorities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin previously stated that Russia had never been against Ukraine’s inclusion in the EU.

He mentioned, “We have always been against the military occupation of Ukrainian territory because it threatens our security. That is what we opposed. But as for economic integration—by all means, it’s their choice,” Putin said.